The storm, which is the strongest to hit the US territory in nearly 90 years (Category 4 when it made landfall) has already killed at least nine people as it roared through the Caribbean.

Before reaching Puerto Rico Maria had hit the US Virgin Islands and Guadeloupe. Martinique was spared severe damage but lost power.The island of Dominica which was devastated earlier in the week and where seven people died, is said to be “dazed” by the ferocity of the storm.

Meanwhile the Dominican Republic is has closed most of its ports as it braces itself for Maria’s arrival which has weakened to a category two storm. The country’s oil refinery is still running having briefly closed earlier this month due to Hurricane Irma.